Paul George wanted to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers last offseason, but they weren't willing to sign him to a three-year, $150 million extension with a no-trade clause. Nor were they willing to give him the four-year, $212 million deal that he went on to sign with the Sixers.
It didn't take long for LA's decision not to give George the payday he wanted to look like the smart move. That decision looks even better after Monday's news.
His first season in Philadelphia was doomed from the start. Literally— he and Joel Embiid were ruled out for the season opener due to injuries, which was a sign of what was to come.
George played in only 41 games, averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, while shooting 43% from the field and 35.8% from three-point range. It was the lowest points per game he averaged in a season since 2014-15, when George played only six games with the Pacers.
The Sixers shut George down in mid-March for the remainder of the season, going on to miss the Play-In Tournament entirely.
Philadelphia couldn't admit its mistake in signing George to a maximum contract and trade him this summer because of his low value. The Sixers instead have to hope that he and Embiid will be healthy in time for (and for most of) the 2025-26 season.
How's that going so far? ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that George underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee on Monday after getting injured in a recent workout.
Former Clipper Paul George had surgery on his left knee on Monday
It's unfortunate that George got injured and had surgery. Injuries are the worst part of the game, and George hasn't had good luck in that department. Going to Philly was supposed to be a fresh start for him, but that hasn't been the case. He can't catch a break.
The NBA is a business, and George said that he had no hard feelings against the Clippers for not giving him the contract he wanted. Sure, it would've been better for Los Angeles to receive something in return for him, but in retrospect, it would've been even worse for the Clippers to cave in to his demands. Daryl Morey was desperate enough to do that.
Los Angeles drew a line in the sand. The Clippers unknowingly set the organization back with the George trade in 2019, refusing to do something they'd regret once again last summer.